Star Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard fails in AFL tribunal challenge as Magpies backline crisis continues

Collingwood will have to field a new-look backline in the early rounds after one of its star defenders failed to overturn his suspension

Collingwood defender Brayden Maynard was unable to beat his two-match striking charge. Picture: Getty Images

Collingwood has failed to overturn Brayden Maynard’s two-match striking ban on Tuesday night in a further blow to the Magpies’ defence.

The AFL is cracking down on head-high hits and this was an early win in that battle.

The Pies’ legal counsel, Stephen Russell, argued that Maynard struck the ball first and did all he could to minimise contact to Giants forward Daniel Lloyd.

Lloyd was knocked out when his head crashed into the ground following the hit from Maynard’s left arm in the act of spoiling.

The AFL’s legal counsel, Andrew Woods, said it was clear Maynard’s arm would hit Lloyd’s head once he left the ground and that he failed in his duty of care.

After a brief deliberation, tribunal chairperson Jeff Gleeson said the sanction would be upheld.

The tribunal loss also means Collingwood will have to wear a $10,000 hit to its football department soft cap.

“We find that the conduct was careless, the contact was high and the impact was high,” Gleeson said.

“We find that, in approaching and affecting the contest in the manner in which player Maynard did, it could be reasonably foreseen to result in a strike to player Lloyd’s head.”

The Pies will also miss Jordan Roughead (shoulder) and recruit Charlie Dean (foot), while another backman, Mark Keane, retired in January to return home to Ireland.

But star defender Jeremy Howe (adductor) is expected to recover in time for the season opener, with he and Darcy Moore set to carry huge responsibility against the Saints’ Max King-led attack.

Collingwood recruit Nathan Kreuger also received a one-game suspension for rough conduct after a bump he delivered to GWS onballer Callan Ward that left the Magpie concussed.